The Line Between(106)

“Did you take something for it?”

Kennedy brought me back from my mindless musings, and I patted her leg in reassurance. “Don’t worry about me. I’m sure whatever it is will pass by morning.”

The chair on my other side shifted, and I looked up to see Grady holding three very colorful cocktails. He took a seat, and passed one to Kennedy, before handing the second to me, and taking the third to himself.

“What are we drinking?” I asked, eyeing the multitude of colors swirling around in the tall, curvy glass.

Grady grinned, his eyes bright with mischief. “I had these made for us – that barman is so hot by the way – and have aptly named it the ‘Cabo Cock’.”

“How appropriate,” I snickered. Kennedy coughed, and wiped her mouth. “Considering the only two people at this table who aren’t getting any cock are you and me.”

“Oh baby girl, I got the barman’s digits,” he winked. “Looks like you’re the only one getting any at this table.”

“Speaking of,” intercepted Kennedy. “Where are Ash and Chase?”

She gave me a look that said her interruption was for my benefit, and I was silently grateful. I didn’t need a reminder that I was here as a ‘singular’.

“Ugh,” groaned Grady. “Probably upstairs fucking like horny little rabbits.”

My eyes bugged out and Kennedy spluttered, “What?!?!”

Grady covered his mouth, and muttered “Oops” behind his hand.

“I thought you guys knew,” he said, looking between Kennedy and me.

“NO!” I replied. “When did that happen?”

“Started up a few weeks ago.” Grady looked up, and his mouth tipped into a wicked smile. “And speak of the two little devils now.”

Kennedy and I swiveled our heads just as Chase and Ashley were walking towards our table. She was in front of him, but judging from their flushed faces, and disheveled appearances they were in fact upstairs…

“Sorry I’m late,” said Ashley. “I overslept after my afternoon siesta.”

“Sure you did,” replied Grady, which earned him a slap on his arm from Chase as he took a seat next to his brother. “Ouch, you asshole. What was that for?”

Chase glared at Grady, and there was some kind of silent conversation going on between the two of them. Ashley took the only open seat opposite me - between Chase and Stella - and started fiddling with her napkin. I wasn’t surprised that something had been going on between the two of them. After Chase had sorted his hormones out, and gotten over what he thought he felt for Kennedy, he’d started hanging out with us a lot more, and watching a few interactions between him and my Ashley, I predicted it was just a matter of time before they decided to put all that sexual tension to good use.

What I didn’t understand was why they kept it a secret.

With our table complete, everyone in our group slipped into conversation, like they always did when we were all together. The only person who looked bored and uninterested was Stella. Then again, she always looked like she’d eaten shit for breakfast – her face had a permanent scowl, unless she was hanging all over Reid. Then she just looked like a desperate hooker.

“Keep staring at Reid and the hobbit will hack you into pieces in your sleep tonight,” muttered Kennedy.

My brows dipped into a frown. “I wasn’t staring.”

“You kinda were,” said Grady.

Jesus. Was I that obvious? I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring until Kennedy and Grady had pointed out. Luckily Stella was too busy whispering something into Reid’s ear to notice, so I was safe from her incessant need to kill me. For now.

We ordered dinner, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I started eating. The food was incredible, and even after having sushi for a light starter I still put a good dent in my main course. It wasn’t until dessert that I started to feel like I’d eaten too much. I sat back in my chair, and rubbed my hands over my flat stomach.

“I think we should all go for a swim,” said Kennedy. “It’s still early enough.”

“Anything to see you in a bikini, Kitten,” replied Dane. He leaned down and kissed that spot below her ear, causing her to giggle. It was both sweet and sickening to watch, really. She was so happy, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving, but I found myself feeling a little envious too.

Despite what people thought, I wasn’t a hussy. I’d only ever slept with three guys, one of which was Reid. I hadn’t been with anyone else since him, and I worried that it would take me months, or even years to have the courage to date.